Indiana Dunes National Park

Indiana Dunes National Park has 15 miles of Lake Michigan beaches, 15,000 acres of land, and 50 miles of hike and bike trails. 2500 acres of preserves surround Miller Beach.

A grassy wetlands along the Chanute Trail in Marquette Park with yellow wildflowers against a backdrop of trees and a partly cloudy sky.

The national park was dedicated in Miller Woods where it’s globally rare oak savannas, rolling dunes, and wetlands and the Douglas Nature Center provide endless delight.

Marquette Beach with light-colored sand and ripples, divided into darker and lighter sections, with Lake Michigan and blue sky in the background.
Snow-covered landscape with patches of dark soil and distant snow-covered hills under a clear blue sky at Miller Woods Beach in the Indiana Dunes National Park.

Miller Beach’s 3.5 miles of beaches include Miller Woods Beach (westernmost NPS beach). Here, the spectacular beauty of the dunes is always steps away.

Highlights of Miller Woods

Ranger Kip Walton tours us through the beauty of Miller Woods where the park was dedicated, and shows us the beauty there and how accessible it is. The hike through Miller Woods lets you see almost every type of ecosystem in the park. There’s an easy way back to the Douglas Nature Center down the Lake Street Bike Path or just reverse course through Miller Woods. Either way gets you back to nature center parking and downtown Miller Beach for a meal or some shopping.

Map of Indiana Dunes National Park with marked Miller Beach, showing trails, camping, picnic areas, visitor centers, and other park features.

Gary's Miller Beach neighborhood is surrounded by 2,500 acres of the Indiana Dunes National Park. Miller Woods (with the Douglas Nature Center) borders the neighborhood on the west in Miller Woods. West Beach section of the park borders the neighborhood on the east. 

6 miles of the regional Marquette Trail from Chicago to New Buffalo connect Miller Woods to the West Beach section of the park. Miller Woods is the only place in the national park to see globally rare dune and swale topography.

A smiling woman standing behind a reception desk inside an office or visitor center with colorful murals and pamphlets on the desk.

The Douglas Nature Center is the western visitor center for the national park, open year round. It is named for Paul H. Douglas, the Illinois Senator who led the fight for the park in Congress.

The Douglas Nature Center is staffed by National Park Service rangers ready to greet you with plenty of advice on what to do and see on your visit. Check out a backpack and binoculars for your hike.

Children can explore exhibits of live reptiles, amphibians, and fish. Visitors can get their national park stamps or Junior Ranger badges. Free weekly programs for park visitors include free kayaking, snowshoeing, and ranger -guided hikes. Credited classes are available for educators.

The entrance to the Douglas Nature Center has stairs down to a hiking trail but also has a wheelchair friendly trail from another door.

The entrance to the Douglas Nature Center has stairs down to a hiking trail but also has a wheelchair friendly trail from another door.

Hikers in early June on the Miller Woods Trail is a perfect example of a fun ranger led hike suitable for all ages.

Hikers in early June on the Miller Woods Trail is a perfect example of a fun ranger led hike suitable for all ages.

Want to try snowshoeing? No worries, the Douglas Nature Center has free loaners, and cross country skis, too!.

Want to try snowshoeing? No worries, the Douglas Nature Center has free loaners, and cross country skis, too!.

Hiking is Fun in Any Season on the Miller Woods Trail.

Hiking is Fun in Any Season on the Miller Woods Trail.

An outdoor kids area includes another picnic area and drinking fountains.

An outdoor kids area includes another picnic area and drinking fountains.

A National Park Service Ranger prepares a testing activity area for kids visiting the Douglas Nature Center. Tanks along the walls inside the Center contain local turtles, snakes, fish, and reptiles for observation.

A National Park Service Ranger prepares a testing activity area for kids visiting the Douglas Nature Center. Tanks along the walls inside the Center contain local turtles, snakes, fish, and reptiles for observation.

The picnic area on the deck outside the Douglas Center overlooks trails, forest, and a wetland. Great place to stop and refresh. Two other picnic areas are available on the trail.

The picnic area on the deck outside the Douglas Center overlooks trails, forest, and a wetland. Great place to stop and refresh. Two other picnic areas are available on the trail.

Exhibits inside the Douglas Nature Center explain the history of early area residents and the fight to save the dunes. The center is named after Paul H. Douglas, an Illinois senator who fought to preserve the park.

Exhibits inside the Douglas Nature Center explain the history of early area residents and the fight to save the dunes. The center is named after Paul H. Douglas, an Illinois senator who fought to preserve the park.

Lake fog appears when the air temperature is significantly different from the water temperature of Lake Michigan.

Lake fog appears when the air temperature is significantly different from the water temperature of Lake Michigan.

A winter scene in the Indiana Dunes National Park. Marram grass peeks through snow.

A winter scene in the Indiana Dunes National Park. Marram grass peeks through snow.

Miller Woods Beach is a calm and peaceful spot to swim or enjoy the Chicago skyline view.

Miller Woods Beach is a calm and peaceful spot to swim or enjoy the Chicago skyline view.

The Miller Woods Trail behind the Douglas Center accommodates wheel chairs and strollers. It has a lovely picnic area under a forest of giant oak trees. Each section has its own grill!

The Miller Woods Trail behind the Douglas Center accommodates wheel chairs and strollers. It has a lovely picnic area under a forest of giant oak trees. Each section has its own grill!

Millions of lupines and hoary puccoon bloom en masse along the sandy hike to the beach. It's a stunning experience every May!

Millions of lupines and hoary puccoon bloom en masse along the sandy hike to the beach. It's a stunning experience every May!

Stunning Miller Woods Beach has shallow walk in waters and a stunning view of the Chicago skyline!

Stunning Miller Woods Beach has shallow walk in waters and a stunning view of the Chicago skyline!

The Douglas Nature Center is at the north end of downtown Miller Beach. Its parking is accessed via a pedestrian bridge that is wheelchair and stroller friendly. The Douglas Center is a 20 minute walk from the South Shore Miller station.

The Douglas Nature Center is at the north end of downtown Miller Beach. Its parking is accessed via a pedestrian bridge that is wheelchair and stroller friendly. The Douglas Center is a 20 minute walk from the South Shore Miller station.